A mother’s plea: Show kindness to differently abled children

This Mother’s Day, Sebiuta Waqalevu is not asking for flowers, gifts or celebrations.

Instead, she is making a heartfelt plea for kindness, acceptance and understanding for differently abled children.

As a single mother raising a daughter with autism, Ms Waqalevu knows the silent struggles many parents face every day — the judgmental stares, cruel comments, endless worries and emotional exhaustion that often go unseen by society.

Mom Sebiuta Waqalevu (left) with daughter Verenaisi Waqalevu.

Yet despite the hardships, her love for her daughter, Verenaisi Waqalevu, has remained her greatest strength.

“As every mother dreams of a healthy baby so did I. For four years we didn't find any abnormalities in my daughter, though we noticed that she was not like other children when it came to speech.”

At first, Ms Waqalevu, who lives in Cunningham with her family, ignored whispers from relatives and neighbours.

Every child grows differently, she told herself.

Verenaisi laughed, played and loved deeply, but words came slowly.

Then came the day teachers at the USP Educare Centre approached Ms Waqalevu with concerns about Verenaisi’s speech.

In the early days ....Mom Sebiuta Waqalevu (right) with daughter Verenaisi Waqalevu.

“We took her to a private doctor who diagnosed her with autism.”

The diagnosis changed everything.

Autism — a word that initially sounded heavy and frightening.

Ms Waqalevu returned home that evening carrying not only medical papers, but also many questions and doubts.

“After her diagnosis that she had autism, I went into a research frenzy to understand what autism is because that time we hardly had heard of this term.”

She read articles, watched videos and cried silently as fears about her daughter’s future overwhelmed her.

“The greatest fear parents of most differently abled children face is what will happen to them after their demise. I often wonder if she will be treated well after I leave this world. This is my biggest concern and I often stress over this.”

Ms Waqalevu wanted to understand her daughter’s world because she knew that if she did not fight for Verenaisi, nobody else would.

But the hardest battles were often outside the home, where people judged and criticised openly.

“People turn to stare at differently abled children as if they don't belong here.”

Every trip to town became emotionally exhausting.

“Comments like ‘wow look at that big girl’ and people will laugh at her whenever I brought her to town.”

Those words cut deeply into a mother’s heart.

In the early days ....Mom Sebiuta Waqalevu with daughter Verenaisi Waqalevu.

Verenaisi did not understand the laughter, but her mother did, carrying every cruel comment with her.

Ms Waqalevu said harsh words were often spoken within earshot and her daughter was body-shamed.

Every morning, she gathers strength again because motherhood does not allow her to give up.

“It is not easy to raise these special children, their tantrums, meltdown and their inability to comprehend things is tiring and frustrating for parents despite trying to do our best for them.”

One of the most emotional moments came when Verenaisi began attending Suva Special School.

“I was so anxious as to how she will cope as this was the first time she was away from me, I had so many doubts and questions as to how she will be treated or if the teachers will understand and support her.”

Years later, Ms Waqalevu sat among hundreds of people at the CEACOSE Games in 2025 and watched proudly as her daughter delivered the opening speech.

“This was my proudest and the most incredible moment. For a girl who was so limited in speech was standing on the stage in front of an audience and speaking confidently.”

Ms Waqalevu said her daughter was her pride and joy.

She believes society simply needs to learn how to embrace children who experience life differently.

“Despite the figure increasing for autism in Fiji, we lack awareness on it and on other conditions that affect our children. There should be rigorous awareness programs to educate people on the streets.”

She is calling on relevant authorities to increase awareness so society becomes a safer and more accepting place for children like Verenaisi.

“All I am asking the people are to be kind. A little kindness goes a long way. Just saying hi or small talk will do wonders for them and make them feel accepted.”

For young parents beginning their journey raising autistic children, Ms Waqalevu offered words of encouragement.

“Verenaisi is 23 years old now, and I strongly believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to shut the noise and keep moving.”

This Mother’s Day, while many mothers are celebrated with flowers and gifts, there are mothers like Ms Waqalevu quietly fighting battles few people see.

They carry exhaustion behind their smiles and courage in their tears.

“Little bit of kindness goes a long way, the hurt, pain, frustration and helplessness that parents of differently abled children feel when their child is laughed at is heartbreaking.”

She has one humble wish.

“Lets respect and support mothers who are going an extra mile for their differently abled children and let the children find their voice in their own time.”